Method and apparatus fob append



Dec.l24, 1946. I w. J. MILLER ETAL Re 22 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPENDAGING POTTERYWAHE Original Filed May 7, 1941 2 Sheets-Shani WILL IRM RSHLE Y J-RE L A RNE'Y.

Dec. 24, 1946. w. J. MILLER ETAL Re 22,

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPENDAGING POTTE RYWARE Original Filed May '7, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

7 INVENTOR: WILLIIIMIIMILLER 4 I F7 4- t I w -mu.

.Reiuued Dec. 24, i946 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPEND- AGING POTTERYWARE William J. Miller, Frankstown Estates, Pa., and Ashley J. Reek, Jonesboro, Ind., assignors, by direct and mesne'assignments, to Miller Pottery Engineering Company, Swissvale, Pa., acor-- poration of Pennsylvania.

Original No. 2,349,292, dated May 23, 1944, Serial No. 392,276, May 7, 1941. Al pllcatlon for reissue August 24, 1946, Serial No. 692,741

35 Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and improved I methods and apparatus for appendaglng pottery ware.

In the conventional method of appendaging pottery ware, the appendages,.for instance, cup handles, are cast in molds capable of forming several appendages simultaneously all joined to a common stem. The slip (a fluid mixture of ceramic material) flows into the appendage cavities through large branch ducts in each mold. After an appropriate interval, usually a half hour or so, the handles are suiilciently hardened for removal. Each handle must be broken ofi the stick by hand and the attaching .face shaped to flt the contour of the article. About as much scrap clay is produced as there is clay in the handles. The fin running around the seam of the appendage is fettled ofl. and the entire appendage lightly gone over with a moist sponge to smooth it. After an indefinite period of storage in a moist humid atmosphere, the handle is then ready for attachment to the article and this is. accomplished by coating the terminal with slip and then applying it free hand against the ware. Any surplus slip must then be wiped off with a sponge. In the foregoing system, there is a considerable amount of manual carrying back and forth which is. laborious and timestaking. Furthermore, the process is wasteful of clay and does not insure uniform handles or precise location thereof on the ware.

In United States Patent No. 2,217,346 to William J. Miller, there is disclosed an improved and much more dependably accurate and simplified method and apparatus for slip casting appendages wherein a separable appendage-mold and prefabricated article are cooperated in such fashion as to bring the cavity opening of the mold into registry with the place on the receptacle determined upon for the appendage; afterwards the mold is filled with slip and the ware and mold remain together until the appendage unites with the article and hardens to optimum degree. Thus, the appendaglng is done in one simple and easy operation, as compared with the manual process.

The present application has to do with a new and improved system and apparatus for displacing labor in the practical commercial manufacture of appendaged pottery ware, utilizing the method of slip casting as described in the preceding paragraph. This invention also includes, among other things, new and improved methods and apparatus for automatically manipulating,

- economically is highly advantageous to any potand feeding slip to molds. All are exceptionally useful in the continuous, closed cycle, high speed, mass-manufacture of appendaged pottery ware.

,This invention also contemplates the manufacture, in rapid succession, of similar or diverse appendages formed and united to ware of similar or diverse character. It also makes possible economical line production of appendaged ware in small or large quantities, with-elimination of labor and complicated mechanism. The ability to meet the varied demands of daily productionby mass-producing diversified appendaged ware tery, whether large or small.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective broken view of the preferred form of apparatus for practicing the method hereof.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a mold conveying system for use, if desired, in connection with the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through one of the slip feeders.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 3 illustrating how the feeding apparatus is held inoperative in case no ware has been ap- .plied.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of theseparable casting molds, ware support and mold actuating mechanism.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of a feeder or nozzle casting and ware support assembly in casting position.

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the mold dryer.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section showing the restricted passage between the mold cavity and filling opening.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section looking down on top of the restricted passage.

Fig. 10 is a detail in-section showing how the Fig. 11 is an elevation showing how ware may be tilted into sealed engagement with the mold. The drawings illustrate how handles are formed and united to prefabricated cups. The invention is not limited, however, to handling cups, since it may be used to appendage other forms of pottery articles with appendages, protuberances, lugs and the like of various shapes, sizes, composition circulating and drying molds, setting appendages s5 and description which may be located at various points on the article.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 consists generally of a casting'machine and a conveyor associated therewith for transporting appendage casting molds and ware. The conveyor preferably sprockets.

. 3 comprises a single strand endless chain I which may travel in a horizontal plane, Fig. l, in an undulatoryv path or partly in vertically ascending and descendingundulating or helical courses, to conserve floor space as diagrammatically shown in Fig. 2, the latter arrangement, being preferred. The angle of inclination of the slanting courses of the chain; Fig. 2, are such that the slip will not spill out of the casting molds attached to the chain and the chain will be guided onto the sprockets in such fashionas to prevent binding and abnormal wear on either the chain The chain I is centered and supported on .the twin railsof a track 2 by means of underneath transverse supports 3 having flanged wheels 4 restingon the track. 5 is a vertical shaft rotatably mounted on the frame 6 of the machine concentric with a curved section I of the track 2. A sprocket 8 with teeth closely fitting the chain openings is secured to the shaft for rotation therewith over which the chain conveyor passes to one or more idler sprockets 9 alongthe length thereof. a

Shaft 5 is continuously rotated by sprocket 10 which is keyed thereon and rotated by chain I3 and sprocket II on shaft i 5 of adjustable speed reducer [6. Power is supplied by motor I1 and belt drive l8.

The minimum length of conveyor chain is calculated by first obtaining the time required for a handle made of proper gravity and composition casting slip to harden the desired degree in the mold of a casting unit. Next the number of mold fillings to be made per minute is determined. For instance, if thirty minutes is required for the handle to harden and the production per minute is 70 then 2100 casting units will be the minimum number required for continuous production. The allowable center to center spacing times the number of casting units gives the length or the of the chain in inches. For example, 2100 casting units on '7" centers would make the minimum length of chain 1225 feet. In practice about more chain fully equipped with casting molds is added to the minimum chain length to provide for the additional time to dry molds and transport them' through loading, unloading and filling stations.

illustrative only.

With reference to Figs. 5 and 6, each casting unit A comprises a base plate is having a depending center rib 20, Fig. 3, secured to a hori-' zontal plate 2| fastened to the chain I. A hinge pin 22 is securedin plate l9, Fig. 6, on which rigid frames 23 of a partible mold assembly are pivotally mounted.

Each frame 23 has one half of a mold 24 (preferably made of absorbent material such as'hydrocal or plaster of Paris) cemented or removably The foregoing calculations are 4 a tongue for insertion in slightly larger tapered dovetailed slots in frames 23. While the frames 23 are not shown with dovetailed slots, the construction is quite obvious. This will enable replacement of molds. without interrupting the operation of the machine or dissembling of machine parts.

Each mold section has a ware engaging surface 24b, contoured to fit the external surface'of the were and when the mold is closed, a trough-like surface is presented to the ware. If the ware has little or no vertical curvature in the zone to be appendaged (see Fig. 6), the ware may be moved into nested relation with'the trough-like surface by movement in the plane in which it lies. Inthe case of ware WI (Fig. 11) having vertical curvature in the zone to be'appendaged, it is preferred tohave the trough-like surface tilted away from the ware in such a way that the ware will be caused to tilt on its brim into seated relation with the mold thus raising the rear of the Fig. 6, forms the moulding chamber which may,

be of any desired contour, and 24d is a reserve feeding well (filling opening) of whatever capacity may be required. The moulding chamber and well are connected by a shallow orifice 240 somewhat on the order of a slit of such area and contour that it will not clog, seeFigs. 8 and 9. The orifice is located so as to feed into the uppermost portion of the inverted appendage cavity (consequently the lower and less conspicuous portions) .to thereby avoid air entrapment and feed into the zone where the greater bulk of the appendage that solidifies last is located. f

By virtue of this construction, the material remaining in the reserve well after the appendage has solidified is connected to the appendage by a portion of comparatively small area. This portion must be strong enough to withstand breakage when the mold is opened because the material remaining in the well may. have a fluid center and it is important 'to'avoid breakage lest a This is preferably done with the same hand and as part of the operation of removing the ware from the conveyor. The technique is to grasp the cup around the body, leaving the handle free and then snap" it with a quick wrist motion. The

moved, leaving the mold in two halves as shown in Fig. 5.

If desired, the mold sections may be cast in suitable cluster cases remote from the machine. In such event, the sections could be formed w t well material, due to its inertia breaks off clean leaving the surface of, the appendage smooth'or substantially so and thereby eliminating or minimizing the need for manual smoothing. The scrap can be caught in a conveniently disposed container.

To control the speed of solidification within the orifice 240, a medium capable of retarding water absorption to an optimum degree may, if desired, be applied to the apex of the orifice and immediate vicinity. 'This medium may be a coating such as shellac or inserts (not shown) having the proper characteristics as determined by tests in each diverse type. To reduce the bulk or volume prevent the accumulation of an excessive thickness of material thereon.

It will be observed that-there are no dowels in the mating faces of the mold sections 24. The mold sections are located by the backs 23 whichin turn rotate about the hinge pin as a fixed axis.

Dowels and their holes add expense to the manufacture of the molds and are hard to keep clean. Any dirt in a dowel hole will spring the mold and cause it to leak.

Another point to be noted is'that the wall of the cavity opening is filleted as at 234:, Fig. 10. This not only enhances the appearance of the finishedproduct by curving the lines ,of the appendage into the were but.it provides broader footing and hence a stronger bond. It will be understood that the fillet, while preferred, is not altogether necessary and straight sided handles may Just as easily be formed and applied.

A guided, freely sliding, carriage composed of upper and lower plates 21 and 28, Fig. 6, straddles the base plate It and is secured together by bolt 29 which extends through an elongated opening III in plate ilto thereby enable limited horizontal shifting.

A stud 35 threaded into plates 21 and 18 passes through an oversize aperture 30a in plate l9 to permit limited relative movement of the carriage and plate iii. A coil spring 38 bearing against stud 35 holds the carriage retracted. Ad- Justably secured to the carriage-by bolt 3! is L shaped thrust member, sometimes herein called "thruster" 32, having a replaceable plaster facing 33 preferably contoured to the shape of the cup cavity to which a resilient pad 34 is secured. The

pad 34' faces'the cavity opening in the mold and is spaced approximately the thickness of the cup wall from the opening in the mold, when the thrustor is in retracted position. It is adapted to press the wall of the cup against said cavity opening when thecup is held in casting position. To prevent the application of smaller diameter ware than the unit is suited for, the thrust member 12 may have a gauge means in the form of vertical member 30b.

Said pad 34 is prefer-ably composed of a. low density resilient material. such as, sponge rubberor it may he a resilient cavitated pad filled with fluid. The object is to provide a self-aligning surface that will fit the contour of the were and will compensate for variations in wall thickness thereof. Thus the were does not have to be gauged for wall thickness or curvature and can be cause the mold wears after a while. The exterior of the cup is formed by an edge profile blade which through wear, re-ishaping or resetting may change the internal shape, contour and wall thickness of the ware. Variations in wall thickness up to 20% have been known to occur and the zones of occurrence are apt to vary. Cast cups also vary in wall thickness and therefore, the provisions of a yieidable backing up or support member is blah- 6' 1y advantageous particularly in commercial production.

Pivoted on the lower end of stud II is a doubleended mould opening and closing lever 81. The mold is opened and closed and the carriage 21-2! is shifted by links 38 and 39 that are attached to depending pins 40 secured to the frames ll extending through slots 4| in the plate l9. Links 38 and 39 are pivotally attached to a common pin 42 attached to a crescent shaped link 43 pivotally connected to a crank extension 4211 near the center of the lever 31. The opposite ends of the lever project beyond the marginal edges of plate l9.

When the lever 31, Fig. 5, is moved in a counterclockwise direction, links 38 and 39 pull the mold sections closed. After the sections are closed further movement of the lever 31 pulls the carriage spring 38 thus forcing the were W gently but firmly into leak-proof sealing relation with the mouth of the mold cavity. Further movement of lever 31 moves pin 42a over dead center thus locking the carriage assembly and mold sections in closed position pin 22 acting as a stop on link 43. When the opposite end of the lever 31 is moved in a clockwise direction, the ware W is first unclamped and is free to float as the mold starts .to open, thus avoiding cracking of appendage at juncture if there should be a slight lateral shifting of mold due to worn hinge or link pin bearings.

Slip .is fed to the appendage molds while they are traveling around a sprocket in a loop or bend of the track. Feeding stations may, if desired, occur at more than one point along the track as diagrammatically illustrated at P'and R in Fig. 2.

The object of having more than one feeding station is to replenish the supply of clay in the mold well if the well is not large enough to hold an adequate supply or for other purposes as detailed later.

The feeders are assembled on shaft 5 in Fig. 1 and shafts 5 and 5a in Fig. 2, in the latter view diagrammatically only. The number, location and spacing of feeders corresponds to that of one or more groups of molds. While the entire production may be the same, in the making of a diversified production, wherein the size and shape of appendage and/or waremay vary in successive order, the molds are arranged in groups, each group having the same number and each mold occupying the same position in corresponding v groups. The number of feeders correspond to the number of molds in agroup and are arranged to serve the same mold in each group. The circumference of the feeder sprocket is divisible by the lengthof chain required to seat a group of molds. Thus, forexample, if the molds are on 8" centers and the bend or loop (sprocket) is six feet in circumference then a group of molds will comprise 9 molds. In a 2,700 foot chain there would be 300 groups of molds and there would be nine feeders arranged on 40 centers. Thus each feeder can be tooled and adjusted to serve a. particular type of were to the best advantage.

In Figs. 3 and 4, we show how each feeder as- "sembly is adjustably secured to the center shaft 5.

All the feeders are identical in construction and therefore only one will be described in detail.

A vertically disposed base; member 44 is contoured at 45 to fit the circumference of the shaft 5 and is secured thereto by screws 46 and 41 through over-size holes 48 to permit slight vertical and circumferential adjustment. A duplex lever arrangement 48 is pivoted at 50 to the base and intermediate the ends thereof is a feed pipe support i trunnioned in elongated vertical slots 52 in the levers which permits a limited amount of vertical, lost motion between the pipe and the levers. To the unsecured end of the lever arrangement, a roller 59 is pivotally mounted and adapted to ride on a semi-circular stationary track 55, Fig, 1, provided with downwardly inclined ends 55 supported from the frame on posts 5. When the roller rides alo the track the. feeder is elevated and the now of slip automatically shut off; when the roller is out of engagement with the track the feeder is in a lowered position and the flow of slip is automaticallyturned on or it remains shut off de- Slip is supplied to the feeding mechanism by .gravity flow from a container 11 secured to top of shaft 5 through hoses clamped to container. nipples 19 and pipes 51. Each feeder has. a control valve 85 for regulating the rate of flow of slip into the mold. Slip is supplied to the container from an agitated source of supply through a centered pipe 5i and anroptimum level in the container is maintained by float valve 92. A stationary paddle 11a supported by one of the frame verticals keeps the slip in the container pending on whether or not a piece of ware is in place on the support, as described in detail later Suspended in threaded adjustable engagement with feed pipe support 51 is the feed 'pipe 51 which extends loosely through a bushing 55 threaded into a horizontal extension 59 of the base member 54. A tapered radial bore 59 in the enlarged head of the pipe 51 permits access of an adjustable length plunger 5| to a flexible tube 52 telescoped within the bore of the pipe 51. The lower end of the tube is enlarged at 52a to form a resilient gasket for sealing the brim of the tubeis incooperation with the mold. The operation is such that at the completion of the charging operation and before the pipe 51 and gasket 52a is lifted to break the seal the plunger is projected lag in functioning in both directions is due to the lost motion between the support 5i and the levers 49. The degree of contact pressure between the gasket 52a and the mold is adjustable through threaded bushing 59 and spring 550.

To selectively prevent functioning of a feeder,

when no ware is applied, we provide an abutment 51, Fig. 4, on one of the levers l9 which'normally seats on the end of vertical leg of bellcrank 55 pivoted to horizontal extension 59 of the base 44. A pitman 15 is slidingly guided in vertically aligned bores in brackets 1| and 12, Fig. l, of

brackets 59 and 59. A replaceable cup contact member 13 having a soft facing is adjustably secured to the lower end of the pitman and an enlarged head 14 is secured to the upper end of the pitman. Intermediate the ends of the pitman an adjustable position collar 15 is secured to limit the pitmans lowermost limit of travel;

The horizontal leg ofbellcrank 55 has a portion 15 projecting over the head 15. Contact member 13 is adjusted to clear the ware when in elevated position and cont-ct the ware prior to seating of gasket 52a on mold top to thereby tilt the bellcrank sufficient to cause the vertical bellcrank leg to clear the abutment 51 and thus permit lever 49 to continue its full down travel, open the valve and charge the molding cavity. If a. cup is not in'. position, the descent of pitman 19 with the lever 59 will not be checked and therefore the bellcrank 58 will remain in alignment with the abutment 51, thus preventing descent oi lever 59 and retraction of the plunger 5!.

agitated. The container can be divided into several compartments, if it is desired to feed different grades and mixtures of slip. 'To supply these compartments with slip, supply pipes such as 5| could be arranged adjacent the rim of the container and a lever provided to trip a valve each time the compartment registered with the pipe. The container 11 may be of any desiredcapacity.

The system operates as follows: The were is jiggered or cast in molds, preferably by automatic machine, such as that shown in the patent against the tube to shut oil the flow of slip. This the internal wall of the ware.

As the mold enters the arcuate section 1 of the i to William J. Miller, 2,046,525. These jiggering and/or casting molds are transported on a conveyor represented by 82, Fig. 2, through a dryer (not shown) and when the were is lea-therhard. it is removed through anopening of the dryer which is preferably located adjacent the loading point C of the appendaging machine, manually topped and sponged and then placed directly on the correct appendaging unit.

Starting with the prefabricated were in inverted position over the support 92 at station C, Fig. 1, with the mold open as shown in Fig. 5; the conveyor I (which is in continuous motion) moves the casting unit to the left toward the feeder and a stationary, adjustably positioned,

track side trip 55 engages the lever 31 just prior to entering the curved section of the track and before the feeder is lowered to thereby cause the sections of the appendage mold to close. If the ware is applied off center (and it is not necessary that it be precisely located onthe thrustor) the mold sections will nudge the ware into approximately proper position. After the mold sections have closed, continued movement of the lever 31 advances the thruster 52 to first finally position the ware, then press the adjacent portion of were wall against the contoured surface of the mold in leakproof sealing relation with the opening of the molding cavity. As the lever 31 approaches its limit of movement, link 43 travels over the center of lever 51 to thereby lock the mold halves together and the "thrustor against track, the orifice of a selected overhead feeder comes into registry with the charging well 24d of the mold. Immediately after registry, the feeder descends vand'as soon as the nozzle is seated over the filling opening, the slip control valve is opened to thereby charge the moldwith slip. This occurs whilst both the feeder and mold are in motion around the curved section 1 of the tra k 2. At the approach of the rectilinear portion of the track I opposite the loading station 0 the slip is shut oil and the feeder is raised, the feeder continuing on and around the circle to repeat the charging operation on corresponding molds in successive groups of molds.

The ware and mold are preferably conveyed through an appendage setting chamber 83 immediately after the mold is filled. It is preferred to maintain a moist. humid, stagnant atmosphere pipe to move.

ducts 8|, thermostats B5 and humidostats 86,

which may be disposed at any point desired along therchamber.

,As; the ware emerges from the chamber 83, an adjustably positioned track side trip 81 engages lever 31 thereby unlockingand unclamping the ware; and opening the mgld. The handle by this time has hardened and united to the ware. The operator removes the appendaged ware from the unit, flips off the material formed in the well 24d and then smooths the mold joint fin (if any) oil the appendage. I

The ware is then placed on a conveyor 90 shown in Fig. 2, operating alongside the unloading zone D. It is preferred that this conveyor transport the ware through a drying chamber. In once fired ware, a glaze bath spray machine or hath (not shown) may be located alongside conveyor 90, and the ware glaze coated and then placed on the conveyor. After the ware .is dried, it is preferably transferred from the drying conveyor directiv to the kiln, the only manual handling being that of applying it to, and removing it from the appendaging machine and lacing it in the kiln.

To rapidly and within a short portion of conveyor length restore the appendage casting mold to optimum dehydrated condition for refilling, we

have provided a drying zone between the unloading point D and loading point C. In this zone is disposed means for force drying andcleaning the mold capable of. directing heated dry air at high velocity into the open mold. This means comprises a stationary elongated chamber 9|, Fig. 1, partly covering the track 2. Two aligned bearings 86a.v secured to the chamber support a longitudinally movable pipe 92 having a multiple of downwardly directed nozzles 93 having the same center .to center spacing as the molds. A flexible hot air supply duct 94, Fig. 1, connected to a source of heated air Permits the Bach casting unit has an upright pin 94, Fig. '7, positioned so as to engage a pivoted detentji on shift bar 91 connected to pipe 82 by angle 9,! to, thereby propel the ipe along with the, QOl'llZBYOI-W1l2h the nozzles in registry with a multiple of the fully or partly opened molds. when the lead nozzle strikesthe end bearing. the pipe is halted and pin 95 pushes the end of detent up andthe spring 99, Fig. 'I, snaps the pipe back tooriginal position. Spring IOI| resets detent 96 which-is held in pin engaging position by a detent (not shown), where it is picked up by the next succeeding pin and-again moved along with the molds.

Longitudinal air travel may be effected by inclining the nozzles to right or removing the pipe and jetting the air horizontally into the mold issuing end of the tunnel, to thereby apply the driest air to the issuing mold and discarding the spent damp air at the mold entrance end. The nozzles may be directed at an angle to the vertical so that the oases 10 air will strike the cavity at an oblique angle instead of blowing straight down. Also, the nozzles may be Siamesed so that each mold section will be independently served.

Air impinged angularly at high velocity against the walls of the molding cavity thoroughly dries and hardens the sharp'marginal edges of the molding cavity. This extends the useful life of the mold particularly when it is done between fillings as herein. The longer these marginal edges remain sharp the less likelihood there is of producing undesirable fins along the seam.

scavenging the mold after each filling dislodges electrolytic salts and other bits of material which might adhere to the wall of the molding cavity. Thus, the pores of the mold are kept open and its ability to absorb water not impeded. By drying the mold and keeping its pores clean, the time required to solidify an appendage should remain substantially constant.

In a system where continuity of production is depended upon the performance of operations on a time table basis, the matter of restoring molds to optimum condition becomes highly important if not vital to the reliable operation of the system.

scavenging the mold also cleans the mating surfaces of foreign particle which otherwise might prevent perfect mating of the two mold sections. Imperfect mating would undoubtedly result in leakage thereby smearing the opposite faces of the mating mold sections with slip which would shorten the useful life of the mold. By taking steps to avoid the condition, manual inspection and cleaning, which otherwise would benecessary, is eliminated.

In manual practice, large rectangular molds measuring about 14 x 14 x 2% thick containing about 24" handle cavities are employed. These invariably warp during curing, thus leaving clearancein certain zones between the opposing faces sufllcient for slip to flow into and leave a fin of varied thickness and height on the handle. This has to be manually cut ofl.

In avoiding this, we cast the molds in individual cases to thereby minimize warpage and the oc-' currence of undesired clearance. Our mold is made as small as practical and for conventional cup handles would measure about 3 x 1 /2 wide x 1% thick, thus practically eliminating warpage and incidentally reducing plaster volume and cost per mold at least 70%. The mold has a thin section as compared with standard manual molds and this combined with forced drying prevents premature internal rot and deterioration, from moisture which the mold absorbs.

Vastly increased mold life, low cost molds and convenient exchange of molds, enables and automatically insures continuous production of perfect handles since it discourages retention of blunted cavity edge orotherwise defective molds,

through increased labor required by emptier at- .tendant to remove the fin or eradicate other defects.

One advantageous feature of this invention is that it eliminates high priced skilled labor and insures dependable perfection uniformity in shapes, location and bond value of appendages on all ware. They are put on straight vertically and radially which improves the appearance of the finished product and increases its sale value.

Another advantage is that the process is selectively continuous so that interruption or exhaustion of supply of one or more ware shapes does not detrimentally eifect normal production of the 1 v remaining ware shapes, thus eliminating handle or mold storage, losses and labor expense incident thereto.

Another advantage is that ware of various sizes and shapes can be appendaged in rapid succession and the appendages can be of different size, configuration, color or material suited to the ware to which it is applied. Furthermore; by variably coloring or applying distinguishing indicia-t'o each type of mold, the identity thereof can be instantly andraliably established by the operator and the proper ware applied to the proper unit, thus preventing errors where the production diversification is extensive.

' Another advantage is that shape changes may be quickly accomplished either by pulling the mold sections off the hinge. pin and replacing them with another set or by lifting out the plaster inserts, while the machine is in motion thereby saving considerable time and avoiding production interruption. Furthermore, the. molds can 'be. made up before hand to proper sizes and specifications and stored in segregated bins convenient to the operator who will be in a position to detect worn molds and quickly replace the same.

Another advantage is that the system can be setup and operated in synchronized conjunction with the continuous operating chain dryer conveyor of an automatic ware forming machinery and adds one more step toward placing the manufacture of appendaged ware on a line production basis with a constant flow of articles along a pres scribed path, free of operationalinterruption and time consuming production lags which is so characteristic of manual production.

Another advantage is that the waste material can be disposed of without loss of time or extra motions and the molds are kept cleaner and theware protected from contamination.- Furthermore, the speed with which the mold can be exchanged does not interfere with the operator loading or unloading the conveyor.

Another advantage is that the feeder automatically refuses to function if there is no ware on the support, thus avoiding spilling slip over the mold faces, chain, etc., and slip wastage.

Another advantage is that the ware is not al-. lowed to dry out while the appendage is solidify- 7 ing and both the appendage and ware are substantially equal in moisture content when removed from the conveyor, thereby minimizing.

the possibility of warped or sprung appendages.

Another advantage is that the, ware is held in leakproof sealed relation with the margins of the cavity thus clearly defining the juncture margins and facilitating streamlining and blending the handle juncture through a fillet, thus producing a super quality joint and bond generally known as a "welded joint" having double strength of Joints employed on conventional ware. It is impossible in practice to obtain an air-tight seal between the adjacentfaces of the mold and this provides sufiflcient vent for escape of all air from the mold cavity, without permitting entrance of slip. I Another advantage is that by providing more than one feeding station, a more viscous slip can be employed in one or more stations and the need for a large capacity reserve well is eliminated. The secondary feeding station or stations can be' located at or aboutthe point where the orifice clogs or original supply becomes depleted and slip under a different hydrostatic head or composition employed. Thus, the amount of waste material is sharply reduced, the well can' 12 be made smaller, orifice clogging and appendage cavitation is reliably avoide f A further advantage is that the slip flowsin a closed conduit from a container into the molding cavity and abuts against the wall of the cup,

the cavity serving as a charge volume measuring "chamber, thus eliminating complicated valving and volume control mechanism. Tedious calculations and presetting of charge volume, con@ tamination and air entrapment enroute is avoided.

Another advantage is that by proper parti tioning of the slip container, slip of different color, composition, fluidity, etc., can be fed to succeeding molds. Y 15 It will be understood that the conveyor may f be provided with pairsof casting units arranged in side by side relation straddling the conveyor chain. Feeding of clay to the molds can be accomplished by providing a double circle of feed- 2 ers in an obviousmanner.

In regard to the matter of solidifying append-- ages, while an ideal arrangement is one wherein 1 means are provided, such as the setting chamber disclosed, in which atmospheric conditions congenial to the ware can be established, we do not limit ourselves to the use of this chamber as a means for exclusively retarding thev dehydration of the ware since it may be used to promote accelerated handle drying by raising the temperature to a point where there is enforced drying of the appendage mold. Normally, the

absorption capacity of the molds will be such that before the saturation point is reached,' all A the water that is to be abstracted from the slip will be abstracted. Thus evaporation of liquid constituents absorbed by the mold from the surface of the mold would not be necessary, however, if the absorption capacity of the molds was below'the amount of water to be absorbed- .then, the temperature in the chamber could wellbe raised to promote evaporation of liquid constituents from the mold. We have found that the system may operate without a conditioning chamber and that the chain may simply be extended back into the factory and the solidification carried out at room temperature. Moreover, we have noted that the article of ware itself is instrumental in solidifying the appendage. The ware is damp and water will capillary thereinto from the slip and be evaporated from the surface of the ware. By retarding dehydration, through providing a moist atmosphere highly saturated with water vapor, the mold absorbs the major portion of the water in the slip, but whether the atmosphere in the chamber is dry or humid, the zone of the article in the vicinity of the appendage terminal appears to remain quitedamp due to capillary abstraction of'water by the ware and as long as thiscondition exists ,we have found that the ware can be appendaged in open air. In other words, we wish it understood that a conditioning chamber is not absolutely essential and may be omitted without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

The entire machine may be operated in a peri-' odic fashion, that is to say, a predetermined number of molds may be filled and run into the conditioner. The machine may be stopped for an interval necessary to solidify the appendages 7 and then started up again in order to strip the ware and re-load the conveyor. A machine operated in this manner couldhave a 'smallernumber of molds and'would probably be advantageous in small plants where production requirements would not demand continuous operation.

eases v apparatus travels and means for reconditioning empty molds.

2. The method of manufacturing appendaged pottery ware which comprises advancing a line of appendage casting molds. and prefabricated ware along a predetermined path, feeding charges of slip to said molds whilst moving along one portion of said pa in another portion of the path solidifying and uniting the appendages to the ware and in another portion of the path opening the molds to atmosphere prior to refilling.

3. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendage casting molds and prefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages are slip cast in said molds and united to the ware. means for feeding slip into said molds mechanically synchronized to move with said molds in a portion of said path and a chamber through which the apparatus travels in which the appendages become solidified.

4. The method of manufacturing appendaged pottery ware which comprises advancing a line of appendage casting molds and prefabricated ware along a predetermined path, feeding charges of slip to said molds whilst moving in said path and thereafter solidifying the appendages in the molds in an atmosphere congenial to solidifying and uniting the appendage to the ware.

5. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendage casting molds and prefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages are slip cast in said molds and united to the ware, movable m'eans for feeding charges of slip to said molds and 'means for mechanically synchronizing the movement of the feeding means and molds whilst moving in said path.

6. The method of manufacturing appendaged pottery ware which comprises advancing a line of appendage casting molds and prefabricated ware along a predetermined path, feeding charges of slip to said molds whilst moving in said path, opening the molds and removing the appendage 14 a ware the methodwhich comprises preforming the body pendage mold into leakproof sealed relation around a cavity opening of the mold-in registry with the place on the ware determined upon for the appendage and thereafter slip casting an appendage in the mold to unite with the ware.

10. In the manufacture of appendaged pottery ware the method which comprises preforming the body of the ware, bringing the were and an appendage mold into leakproof sealed relation with a cavity opening of the mold in registry with the place on the ware determined upon for the appendage thereafter bringing the filling opening of the mold into sealed relation with a conduit filled'with slip and discharging slip into the mold ing cavity until the molding cavity is filled.

11. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendage casting molds and prefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages are slip cast in said molds and united to the ware. a slip discharge nozzle through which said'slip is fed arranged above the general path of travel of the molds and adapted to feed charges of slip to said molds and means for precluding the passage of slip through the nozzle into a mold except when there is ware in association with the mold.

12. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendage casting molds and prefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages are slip cast in said molds and united to the ware,

. a slip discharge nozzle through which slip is fed arranged above the general path of travel of the molds and adapted to feed charges of slipthereinto and one or more nozzles located at points remote from the first named nozzle through which additional charges of slip may be fedto a the mold to form an appendage united with the therefrom and reconditioning the empty molds whilst retarding dehydration of the ware and in another portion of said path restoring the molds to optimum condition for refilling.

8. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendage molds and prefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages are slip cast in said molds and united to the ware, one or more movable slip discharge nozzles through which slip is fed arranged above the general path a of travel of the molds and adapted to feed charges of slip to molds whilst moving in said path and means for mechanically synchronizing the movement of the discharge nozzle or nozzles and the molds. v

9. In the manufacture of appendaged pottery the molds.

13. In the manufacture of appendaged pottery ware, the method which comprises, advancing a line of appendage molds along a predetermined path and in portions of the path disposing articles of ware against the molds in such fashion as to bring the cavity opening in the mold into registry with the place on the ware determined upon for the appendage, introducing slip into ware and adding slip to the original charge at one or more points along the path.

14. In the manufacture of appendaged pottery ware, the method which comprises, circulating a group of diverse or similar appendage molds in, an endless path and in portions of the path disposing articles of pottery against the cavity of said molds, then feeding charges of slip thereto, transporting the molds and ware through a congenial atmosphere whilst the appendage is solidifying and thereafter removing the were from the path and returning the molds for refilling.

15. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of separable appendage casting molds and prefabricated ware along a pathwherein appendages are slip cast and united to the ware, a plurality of slip discharge nozzles through which slip is fed arranged above the general path of travel of the molds and adapted to feed charges of slip to molds whilst moving in said path, and means for gripping the ware in sealed relation with the molds in registry with the cavity opening or openings therein.

16. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendage casting molds and prefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages are slip cast in said molds and united to the ware, means for feeding clay to molds comprising a pluoi' the ware. pressing the ware and an apable to open said valve after the nozzle has engazed the mold.

17. In combination with apparatus for advanc ing a line of separable appendage casting molds and prefabricated ware alon a path wherein appendages are slip cast in the molds and united to the ware, a, plurality of slip discharge nozzles through which slip is ied arranged abovethe general path of travel of the molds and adapted to feed charges of slip to molds whilst moving in .said path, a chamber'through which the moldsand ware are transported subsequent to mold filling having means for regulating the humidity and temperature of the air therein, means for automatically opening and closing said molds .and a mold drier comprising a plurality ofdischarge nozzles through which drying air is applied to themolds arranged above the general path of travel of the molds and adapted to apply heated air to the. molds whilst moving in said path. i

18. In combination with apparatus for slip casting and uniting appendages to prefabricated pottery ware, a conveyor for transporting appendage molds along a b th wherein appendages are formed and attached to the ware. composed of a single strand of chain with appendage molds .attached thereto arranged with predominately horizontal ascending and descending courses in the zone of appendage solidification.

19. In the mass production manufacture of ap-- pendaged pottery ware the method which consists in advancing appendage molds in repeated closed cycles through an appendage setting zone and aiming unit and automatically slip casting and uniting appendages to prefabricated ware all whilst the appendage molds are in continuous motion.

20, In the manufacture of appendaged pottery ware the method which consists in advancing, a line of diverse appendage molds and prefabricated pottery ware along a pathwherein appendages are slip cast in said molds andunited to the ware and providing individual identification for the molds by means of which the proper size and shape of article may be selected for cooperation therewith.

21. In combination with apparatus for advancing a'line of separable appendage casting molds and prefabricated ware along a path wherein appendages are slip cast and united to the ware, a plurality of slip discharge nozzles through which slip is fed arranged above the general path of travel of the'molds and adapted to feed charges of slip to molds whilst moving in said path and means for automatically opening and closing said molds said last named means being adjustable in -order to vary the time of opening and/or closing of molds in the production cycle or the point or being adapted 16 anism for governing the discharge of slip into the molds.

23. In combination, a line of travelling potterycasting molds, a slip discharge nozzle having synchronized movement with the line of molds and 1 adapted to co-operate and travel with successive molds moving in'the path, and flow control mechanism operable to discharge slip through the nozzle upon movement of the nozzle into feeding position.

24. In combination, a line 'of travelling potterycasting molds, a slip discharge nozzle having synchronized movementwith the line of molds and adapted to co-operate and travel with successive molds, means for raising and lowering said nozzle relative to the molds and flow control mechanism operable in response to raising and lowering of said nozzle to govern the discharge of slip into the molds.

25. In combination, a line of travelling potterycasting molds, a slip discharge nozzle having synchronized movement with the line of molds and to feed slip to successive molds, said molds and nozzle being relatively movable when travelling in unison and flow control mechanism for governing the discharge of slip into the 'molds operable upon relative movement of the nozzle and molds.

26. In combination, a line of travelling potterycasting molds moving in a curved path about an axis, a plurality of slip discharge nozzles synchronized for movement with the molds and trav- 4 elling in a concentric circular path into andout of registration I with successive molds, flow control means associated with each nozzle for goveming the discharge of slip through said nozzle and means for actuating said last named means during the interval of association of a nozzle and tating feeder of an endless flexible conveyor for continuously moving a line of pottery molds along a path tangent to the ,circle of rotation of the feeder and then in a curved path concentric with the axis of rotation of the'feeder to bring succes- I sive molds into registration with said feeder, and

means for causing said feeder to deliver charges of clay to successive molds during the interval said feeder and successive molds are in registration.

28. In combination, clay feeding apparatus having a rotatable support associated therewith rotatable about a vertical axis, clay feeders mounted above said support rotatable therewith about said axis, endlessfiexible mold conveying means looped about said support, pottery molds mounted on said conveying means to be carried thereby to said support and transported about said axis in register with said feeders, means for feeding clay from said feeders into said molds when in register therewith and means operable to location of opening or closing relative to the path of travel of the molds. 22. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of appendage casting molds along an endless path, means associated therewith for supporting prefabricated ware, slip feeding means mounted for movement with the molds, means for mechanically synchronizing the movement of the feeding means and molds, and flow control mechcontinuously drive said conveying means and support. J

- 29. Apparatus for manufacturing dinnerware and the like comprising a support for carrying molds in a curved path through a mold charging zone, a clay discharge nozzle movable in a path- ,concentric with the'axis of the curved path, and

an endless flexible conveyor arranged to travel around said support to carryempty molds to-the mold charging zone and remove them therefrom.

30. Apparatus for manufacturing dinnerware and the like, comprising a support for carrying 17 I i molds through a feeding zone including a stationary track, an angularly moving feeder in said zone for charging the molds and a 'mold conveyor for transporting empty moldsover the track through the feeding zone and carrying them away 1 said support to carry empty molds to the mold filling zone and remove them therefrom.

, 32. In combination with a plurality of pottery forming molds, a plurality of feeders mounted for rotation about a common axis, and a continuously driven, endless, flexible conveyor for'supporting the travel in a horizontal path concentric with the axis for rotating the feeders thereabout and causing them to function and discharge clay onto the molding surface of conveyor.

33. In combination with a plurality of clay discharge nozzles arranged to rotate continuously about a common axis, a continuously traveling molds having a portion arranged to the molds supported by the endlem mold convey r arranged to travel in a path concentric-with the axis through a feeding zone to carry molds into register with said nozzles and then carry them away after they are charged with clay and means operable to feed a charge of clay from a nozzle to a mold during the interval of registration of a nozzle with a mold in the feeding zone.

34. In combination with a plurality of clay discharge, nozzles arranged to rotate continuously about a common axis, a continuously traveling endless mold conveyor arranged to travel in a path about said axis through a feeding zone to carry molds into register with said nozzles and carry them away therefrom when charged with clay, means for supporting said mold conveyor in the feeding zone and means operable to feed a charge of clay from a nozzle to a mold during the interval the nozzle is in registration with a mold in the feeding zone. 35. In combination with a plurality of clay discharge nozzles arranged to rotate continuously about a common axis, a continuously traveling, endless mold conveyor arranged to travel in a curved path about said axis to carry molds into register with said nozzles, and means for discharging clay from a nozzle into a mold when the two are in register.

M J. MILLER. ASHLEY J. REEK. 

